Page 9 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

son of Kunti, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this
manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.” (Bg 9.10)
The living entities in this world are all bewildered by the infl uence of the
modes of nature and are working in a delusional state thinking themselves
independent when in reality everything they do is dictated by the modes of nature
infl uencing their senses to act. Again the Lord explains, “O scion of Bharata, O
conqueror of the foe, all living entities are born into delusion, bewildered by
dualities arisen from desire and hate.” (Bg 7.27) The living entity by his eternal
nature is subordinate to the Supreme Lord. When he chooses to separate himself
from the Lord, he becomes controlled by the Lord’s material illusory energy and
cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The illusory energy called Maya appears as the duality of desire and hate.
One desires to be God, the supreme controller and enjoyer of everything, and
envies and hates God because of His supreme prominence. Thus, the errant
living entities become completely under the control of God’s illusory material
energy that enables them to falsely think they have become the competitor of
God for controlling the material nature. In such a deluded state of mind it is
impossible for them to understand the transcendental and all-powerful position
of God because their consciousness is clouded by duality and their actions are
controlled by the modes of nature. Their only hope is to meet a genuine devotee
of Krishna and begin to hear authentic Vedic knowledge spoken honestly for
their benefi t. Lord Krishna tells his devotee Arjuna, My dear Arjuna, because
you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confi dential knowledge and
realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence. This
knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge,
and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion.
It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed. (Bg 9.1-2)
“Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme
instruction, the most confi dential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it
is for your benefi t.” (Bg 18.64) The essence of the teaching of the Bhagavad-
gita is submissive hearing of Lord Krishna’s instructions and then following
them integrally through sincere devotion to the Lord’s will. Krishna says, “My
dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from contaminations of
fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme
goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being – he certainly comes to Me.” (Bg
11.55) Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to have no work except in relationship
with Him. The result of all work should be offered to Krishna without any false
attachment to the fruits of action. One can then accept the remnants of offerings
to Krishna as His prasadam (the Lord’s Mercy) and live a very peaceful and
satisfi ed life.
The cause of material bondage of the living entity is forgetfulness of Lord
Krishna and remembrance of the Lord is the cause of liberation from material
entanglement. Therefore, knowledge of the Lord’s appearance and transcendental
activities manifest in this material world is the sure way to become free of the
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